Dangote and Ruto Launch Major Refinery in Kenya

On September 30, 2026, Aliko Dangote and Kenyan President William Ruto broke ground for a new refinery project in Lamu, Kenya, which is expected to have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. This facility aims to supply petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel to Kenya and other regional markets upon its completion in 2030.

The refinery will mirror the production capacity of Dangote’s existing refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, and is part of efforts to reduce East Africa's dependence on imported refined petroleum products. The Kenyan government is expected to hold a 30 percent stake in the investment, which is part of a broader industrial development initiative in Lamu.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by several African leaders, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni, and Togo’s President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové. This project underscores the increasing movement of Nigerian capital across Africa and aligns with regional goals of energy security and economic integration.